I grew up believing in the American dream. Work hard and you can create anything you desire — you can build it, you can barter for it, you can educate for it, you can invent it. Nothing can stop you. This is America.

Great people come to mind — Thomas Edison, John Deere, Cyrus McCormick, Henry Ford, Ray Kroc, Sam Walton, Steve Jobs, and so many others. Where else but in America could a person start out with little more than the clothes on their back and build dynasties that employ thousands and improve the standard of living many, many fold. God, I’ve loved this ride — “only in America.”

I’ve had the opportunity to play my small part — building a farm equipment business was always my dream. I spent a career in law enforcement before I even started. It took off on its own. It was supposed to be a little “mom and pop” for Jenny and me in my retirement years, and our oldest son, Jerry. I asked the government for nothing. Yes, I created one of those evil corporations. It continued to grow, today employing 10 good people paying taxes, all making decent wages, with insurance paid and a 401K plan. For what it’s worth, Jenny takes no salary so we can keep the business in the black. Someday maybe we can pass it on to our family.

We are far from rich, but we have our dream — thank you, America.

Then 2008 comes along, and on the national stage comes Barack Hussein Obama. He is propelled by many who see the world quite differently than I. He talks of redistribution of wealth and “he didn’t build that.” One of his mentors of 20 years preaches “not God Bless America but God Damn America.”

I sense a change in America. While serving as an Illinois state representative I write weekly articles and watch the world change. I find disconcerting — not the world changing, but America changing. We have always been that one bright light for a world of heartache. “If only I could get to America and build my dream.” Through the years many have clung to that dream. I pray they still do.

I recognize change is in the air. When more people vote than work, the American dream will drift away. Have we reached that point?

In a conversation this past weekend with a person I respect greatly but who sees the world very different than me — states my opening sentence as we discuss income versus taxation on those who have been successful. He responds with “but no one ever mentions the third point — How much do they have left?” It hit me like a ball bat up the side of my head. That’s exactly it. These folks would steal the American dream and make it into “what will the government give me?”

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The downward spiral begins. Whatever is left belongs to the masses. God help us all and the American dream.

Jim Sacia is the 89th District representative in the Illinois House. You can reach him, Sally or Barb at 815-232-0774 or e-mail jimsacia@aeroinc.net. You can also visit Sacia’s website, jimsacia.com.